Trying To Bond

[piegirl]

" Geez, I didn't know it could get so cold in this region, Jhoto was so much warmer! "

Route 3 was abundant with it's thick foliage, as always, with slick, powdery snow daintly slipping off it's leaves. The ground was no longer a lush green as it usually is in the other seasons, as winter had made it blandly white and quite annoying to walk through. Haru trudged along the bleak path, bundled up in a new red scarf, a Flareon pattern across the fabric. This however, was not enough to keep the chill off his back, so Kasa was snuggled againest his chest, not at all bothered by the cold. She seemed perfectly fine, a smile on her face as she nuzzled her head againest his chest. Mist was by his right leg, prefering the water like ground to his frostbitten shoulder.

"You humans and your complainents. If you just had a thicker coat of fur on that pink skin, you'd be just fine." Mist sighed, a slight smile tugging at his lips as he shot the boy a knowing glance.

Kasa gave Mist a disapproving grunt, as to remind the Mudkip Haru had not chosen to be born this way. The Jhoto native had no clue of what they were speaking but got a pretty good idea Kasa was defending him from so of Mist's playful teasing. Placing his ics cold fingers on the top of her head, he gave the mute Vulpix a well deserved pat.

" I guess we chose a bad day to come train Mist. Still, you the lowest level of the team, though you've been around longer." Haru spoke, his blue tinited lips having a bit of trouble opening and closing. The Mudkip shrugged in mild disappointment, he wasn't much for fighting anyhow.

[ I hope this is ok, I haven't rped in months. DX ]

[Sparx]

Uwahwahwah!

The cry came from a path in the snow a few metres away. The tunnel was rapidly growing a twisting, backtracking and randomly stopping. It seemed that whatever was trying to walk through the snow was ahving one hell of the time, and it couldn't be blamed; only its orange-spotted ears could be seen amongst the deep snow, the rest of its small body completely hidden. The poor thing probably couldn't even see where it was going!

Finally, the Pokemon reached the beaten path of the Route, where the snow was considerably shallower. The cream-and-speckled rodent-like creature tottered out of the white, still walking around like it was dizzy and couldn't see properly. The Spinda clumisly walked along the route, his style of travelling destined to send him crashing into the trainer and his Pokemon. He even seemed to grow more unsteady as he approached Mist, and it was almost certain that he would run the Mudkip over...

[piegirl]

Kasa's ears perked up at the sound of the enstrangled cry, poking her head around Haru's right shoulder to see it's owner. She caught sight of a wayward Spinda stumbling its way over to the 3, his path about to collide with Mist's. A series of alarmed grunts rumbled in her throat as she tried to get the Mudkip's attention.

" What is it Kasa? You're never this excited. " Haru said, trying to calm the struggling Fire-type down. She ignored his concern as her stream of grumbles continued.

Mist, obviously to the warnings, continued forward, a bit annoyed by her noise.

"You stubborn little Mudkip!" she thought angerily, shooting a small Ember to the sleek radar atop his head. Him being a water type, the move hadn't damaged him, but it was enough to set off his anger.

"What in the world was that for?!" he shouted, his normally calm demeanor gone. Kasa pointed her muzzle behind him, prompting the Mudfish Pokemon to look behind him.

A second to late, as the two had made contact, introducing Mist's face to the snow coated ground.

[Sparx]

The Spinda cried out in alarm as he collided with the Mudkip, toppling over the mud fish as Mist faceplanted the snow. The rodent tumbled head over heels, landing at Haru's feet. Quickly, he jumped back to his feet, looking up at the trainer and gasping again. Still extremely unsteady, he began to back away from the human, ending up on his butt when he tripped on his own feet.

Sorry, sorry! My fault, my fault! said the Spinda as he struggled to get back to his feet. He seemed to be having a bit of trouble righting himself, as his balance downright sucked.

[piegirl]

Haru stared in confusion at the small Pokemon's antics and Kasa couldn't help but let a giggle slip. It seemed to be sorry for it's behavior, distraught written all over it's face. Mist, however, wasn't too amused with this stranger's unsteady feet.

"Why don't you watch who you trip over." he said quietly, his anger not equal to Haru's Tsunic but just enough that irritation was visible in his eyes.

[Sparx]

The Spinda winced as Mist hissed at him, looking distressed. Taking a step back, he instantly lost his balance all over again and toppled onto his back. Raising his spotted head, he frowned nervously at the Mudkip.

I... I... I s-said I'm s-s-sorry! he stuttered, once again trying to stand. When his attempts failed, he ended up settling into a sitting position in front of the mud fish. I... I c-cant help r-running i-i-into things. M-my b-b-balance isn't s-so g-good...

The rodent looked down at his feet soberly, ears drooping. Obviously, his apology was sincere, and he was telling the truth about not being able to walk straight. It wasn't his fault that all Spinda were clumsy, and especially him!

[piegirl]

Mist watched as the Spinda's voice took on a sober tone, looking down at the culprits of his unsteadiness. He immediately regretted his previous sentence seeing the full effect it had on the little rodent.

Haru had been able to decode part of the conversation, Mist's anger and Spinda's apology, and shot a glare from the corner of his eye at the mud fish. " Way to go, you hurt his feelings." he whispered, Kasa imitating his angry tone. Mist just looked at his feet, slightly embarrased.

Haru drooped to the level of the Spinda, his bottom just above the powdery snow. " Cheer up little guy, don't let the grumpy Water type get you down." he said soothingly, reaching out to stroke the Normal type's head.

[Sparx]

The Spinda blushed as Haru stroked his head, ears flattening against his skull. Embarrased, he stood up and tried to take a step back, but ended up slipping and crashing hard onto his backside. He quickly sat up, rubbing the back of his head. Then, he turned back to Mist.

I-if there's a-a-anything I c-could d-d-do to, uh, m-make it up to y-you, I-I-I'd be m-more than ha-happy to, w-w-well, try it.

((Sorry for shortness.))

[piegirl]

((fixed, better now?))

Mist just looked the little scrap of fur over and slightly chuckled. Amazing how this little thing was able to survive out here in the wilderness with his personality matched with those feet. A sudden thought to something that could fix both this little rodent's problem and his own level status instantly popped into the mudfish's head.

"Actually yes, there is something you CAN do for me..." he began, eyes closing to mischevious slits as he made a bracing batle pose, "You see, I'm a little low in level and well, you're the only wild pokemon around. Let's have a battle, shall we?"

[Sparx]

((Much better, thank you.))

The Spinda fidgeted as Mist looked him over, his frown making creases in his cheeks as he heard the Mudkip chuckle quietly. How embarrassing, how embarrassing! He should have stayed at home like all the other Spinda. They were smart; they had told him not to go out- he'd hurt himself, get lost in the snow! But no, he hadn't listened. Stupid, stupid, stupid decisions!

When Mist made the offer, the little rodent put on a distraught face. Battle!? What the mudfish crazy!?! The Spinda would only end up hurting himself. But... he had said he'd try anything. Gulping, he steadily stood up, this time managing to keep himself righted.

O-okay... I'll t-try it.... B-but you s-start!

[piegirl]

The Mudkip smiled with satisfaction as the Spinda grudgingly agreed.
" Great, I apperciate this just to let you know but please, don't hold back." he cheerfully said, throwing his trainer a confident look.

Haru had understood the stare from his starter and smiled a impish grin. A battle with such an unsteady creature was sure to prove eventful, if not full of laughs. Shifting Kasa so he could stand while keeping her comfortable in his jacket, Haru smiled at the two combantants.

" Looks like we found a battle after all. Mist, start out with a hard Tackle!" He smiled, his eyes matching the modd of the Mudkip's smile.

[Sparx]

As the Mudkip raced toward him, the Spinda tried to step out of the way and ended up spiralling out of balance again. Yeah, he avoided the attack all right, but he also ended up falling face-first into a mound of snow. Quickly, he righted himself and turned back to face Mist.

A-alr-right, here I go! The rodent cried, careful to get his balance straight before trying anything. Then, he threw himself forward, his intention to ram his body into the mudfish's in a strong tackle attack.

[piegirl]

Mist stumbled in a pile of snow, having missed his opponent. As he righted himself back up, he noticed the Spinda charging towards him with what seemed to be a strong tackle. The water-type was about to make a graceful dodge and try to land on the rodent's back.

" No, wait, stay there Mist!" Haru quickly shouted, seeing his pokemon's intentions. The mudfish couldn't believe what he was hearing. Did the boy just tell him to actually TAKE what was sure to be a strong attack?

Haru laughed at his starter's expression of a mixture between bewilderment and, most obvious, anger. "Just trust me on this, take the hit." he smirked, hoping the pokemon would see his idea. The Mudkip was still a bit lost but, nevertheless, stood bravely in front of the Spinda, ready for the blow. The kid had to have something up his sleeve, right?

[Sparx]

Thus, the Spinda managed to crash into Mist via a tackle attack without losing his balance. Still, he stumbled backward a bit after the impact, his ears twitching as he tried to maintain a standing position. He blinked and shook his head dizzily, then looked up. Had he actually hit his target? Yes! A proud smile spread across the rodent’s face, and he was so happy that he forgot that he was in the middle of a battle and should probably try to attack again before the mudfish could hit him first. But hey, you would be excited, too, if you had never exactly gotten a strike in before.

[piegirl]

" Muuuuddd!" Mist yelped, being thrusted into a nearby tree trunk from the attack. The mudfish rested his back againest the bark and twitched in pain, he had to admit, the Spinda was capable of some serious damage. Struggling to his paws, he glanced over at his trainer, skeptical.

" Ok, I was brutally thrown into a tree and possibly have severe back problems. Where's your great idea?" he seethed at the boy. Haru laughed, the little water-type STILL had no idea of what was coming.

"Alright, alright. You can stop throwing those hateful looks at me Mist." he chuckled before continuing, "Now, use Counter on Spinda and take out your anger on him."

So this is what he was getting at? "Not too bad." Mist thought with a devious smile. He took small, intimadating steps towards the Spinda, all the while his sleek body begining to glow a metallic silver. He began to pick up his pace, racing to ram the Spinda with his own power and then some.